Assembly for Storing a Screen Element

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to a storage device. The storage device has openable and closeable housing means which is suitably sized, shaped and adapted to accommodate at least one movable support means comprising an elongate member of a suitable size and shape to accommodate a curtain means. Said support means can be moved between at least two positions, a first collapsed position where the support means is housed in the housing means and an erected second position where said support means is positioned outside of said housing means in the latter position, the curtain means acts as a barrier. The curtain can hang from the support means. Additionally, the storage device includes moving means to urge the support means between the first and the second position.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A storage device comprising; an openable and closeable housing means wherein said housing means is suitably sized and shaped and adapted so as to accommodate at least one movable support means comprising an elongate member suitably sized and shaped and adapted so as to accommodate a curtain means whereby said support means can be moved between at least two positions, a first collapsed position where said support means is housed in said housing means and a second erected position where said support means is positioned outside of said housing means so that said curtain can hang therefrom and wherein the storage device includes moving means to urge the support means between the first and the second positions. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the moving means comprises a piston. 
     
     
         18 . A device according  claim 17 , wherein the piston acts to urge the support means to the first position when the support means subtends less than a preset angle with a vertical axis. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 18 , wherein said angle is 15° to the vertical. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the housing means comprises elongate panels. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 20 , wherein one said panels is movable with and to which the support means operably attached. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the lower portion of the movable panel engages the housing means through a push-fit, click-fit mechanism or the like to ensure the proper storage configuration is maintained. 
     
     
         23 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the housing means comprises at least two elongate panels so as to provide a box-like structure adapted to conceal the curtain means when not in 
     
     
         24 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the moveable panel of the housing is provided with a hinge, the panel being pivotally attached about said hinge to a terminating end portion, so that in use the hinged panel lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and when not in use is swung into a position closing the storage space. 
     
     
         25 . A device according to  claim 24 , wherein the device includes a second hinged panel, directly beneath said first moveable hinged panel to form, when closed a single panel surface. 
     
     
         26 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the hinge of the second hinged panel lies in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         27 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein said housing means is formed of aluminum. 
     
     
         28 . A device according to claim  12 , wherein the aluminum is powder coated. 
     
     
         29 . A device according to  claim 28 , wherein the curtain means is formed of a pressed acrylic material.